ABERDEEN equestrian Millie Fisher has just returned from a successful riding adventure in Ireland.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Scone Grammar School student accepted an invitation to ride with the Duffy Sport Horses team at the Cavan International Horse Show, the last big showjumping event on the Irish calendar.
Sixteen-year-old Fisher was given the ride on Murchu’s Grey Mist, a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare better known by her stable name Sally.
And, with the help of team owners Vinnie Duffy and Jean Gill, she quickly got the hang of her horse, qualifying for both the 1.10m and 1.20m class finals in the first days of competition.
“It really was amazing,” she said.
“After three days riding and training with Vinnie and Jean at the team’s Ballina stables, we set off for Cavan in a three-truck convoy carrying 22 horses, with another horse box carrying all the feed and supplies.
“The Equestrian Centre at Cavan blew me away when we arrived.
“It is huge with two indoor jumping arenas, warm up areas, bars, shops, offices and a restaurant all under one roof and all owned and run by the Clarke family who made us feel really welcome.
“I couldn’t wait to get jumping.
“The qualifiers went well.
“Jean is a brilliant coach and full of good advice.
“She gave me a lot of confidence to go and out and really give Sally a ride.
“Jake was brilliant, too.”
“Jake” is Jake Hunter, a former Australian Junior Showjumping Champion and Youth Olympic Bronze medallist who is originally from Singleton.
But, he’s been based with Duffy in Ireland for the past three years, honing his craft.
He is now the champion Irish Young Rider.
“It’s a real inspiration to see how well he is doing overseas and how hard he works to achieve that success,” Fisher said.
Finals day started with the 1.10m where the combination had one fence down in the first round.
“That put the pressure on a bit for the 1.20m final,” Fisher said.
“However, Sally was a star and we pinged around clear in the first round and then went clear and quick in the jump off to finish fourth overall.”
It was a great result in a class that started with more than 150 competitors.
But, the fun really began in the International Team Challenge.
Fisher teamed up with friend and fellow Aussie traveller, 13-year-old Maleah Lang McMahon from the Gold Coast, in a pairs speed event in which seven countries were represented, with Hunter managing the Australian team, the youngest pairing in the competition by some margin.
“Each rider’s time was added to their partner’s to give a combined time, but for each rail down two seconds were added,” Millie explained.
“I went first for us and we fairly scooted around.
“It was such fun as the atmosphere was fantastic with the crowd screaming and shouting at you to go faster and faster around this twisty-turny course.
“Sally was brilliant again and we left them all up in a time just over 49 seconds, which put us into the lead after the first round.
“Maleah flew around clear on her horse, too.
“And, then we had a long and nervous wait as the Saudi, Irish and British second riders all had a crack at our time, but we held on for the win.”
Fisher’s dad Kiwa was also proud of his teenage daughter.
“It was a great moment,” he said.
“These two little Aussie kids doing their lap of honour with the famous Cavan red winners’ rugs on, while they played the anthem - Land Down Under.
“I can’t thank Vinnie, Jean, Jake or the Clarke family enough for the unforgettable experience they’ve given both the girls.”
As for Fisher, herself, she stepped off the plane and straight back onto her three horses.
“We’ve got two big shows in Sydney before Christmas and then we’ll be heading off on Boxing Day for the Bega Cup, which is a favourite,” she admitted.
“Hopefully, I’ll go well and finish off what’s been a good year on a high.”